Academic Year Management Study Abroad Programs

Coming to the American University of Beirut from the Kurdistan Region was a big step for me. Like anyone moving to another country, I had so many questions. What would studying in Lebanon be like? Would I find my people? Would I feel at home? Looking back, I can say that my experience at AUB turned out to be much more than I expected. Studying Nutrition and Dietetics taught me a lot, not only about my field but also about how to think, question things and look at problems from different perspectives. There were opportunities to get involved in research, explore subjects beyond my degree and connect what we learned in class to things happening in the real world. One of the things I appreciated most was being surrounded by people with different backgrounds and experiences. I learned just as much from the people I met as I did from my courses. But honestly, some of my favorite memories have very little to do with academics. Moving to Lebanon meant figuring out how to live independently, adjusting to a different culture and building a life away from my family. AUB brought together people from so many different places, and somewhere along the way, a place that was once completely unfamiliar started to feel like home. The friendships, long conversations, spontaneous plans and even the ordinary days on campus are things I still look back on fondly. AUB also gave me opportunities I probably wouldn't have imagined before coming to Lebanon. Through the MEPI Tomorrow's Leaders Program, I was able to explore new interests, meet people from different backgrounds and take part in experiences that pushed me beyond what I thought I could do. These opportunities helped me grow in ways that went beyond my education. Of course, living abroad wasn't always easy. There were days when I missed home, days when things felt overwhelming, and moments when I had to figure things out on my own. But I think those experiences were just as important as the good ones. If I could tell future international students one thing, it would be to come with an open mind and not be afraid of what you don't know yet. Give yourself time to adjust, say yes to opportunities, meet people outside your usual circles and enjoy the little things along the way. You might arrive with a certain plan, but leave with experiences and friendships you never expected. For me, AUB was never just about getting a degree. It was about finding my independence, discovering new possibilities, and growing into a person I hadn't quite imagined when I first arrived. And for that, I'll always be grateful.

While I was in Greece, I visited a few Islands and a Tonne of nice restaurants. The people were wonderful and so welcoming It became a second home to me. I wish desperately that I could go back but unfortunately I'm in my senior year and can't travel abroad again but I definitely will be going back soon.

This program was amazing. My advisor in Australia was fantastic and really made the trip better- Eugenia!! The day trips offered easy and low stress ways to explore Australia with food and transport all provided. IFSA staff were very open to feedback as well, I always felt heard. The housing was perfect for what it was to me and was in a great location near campus. Overall, I have no complaints.

I had an amazing time studying abroad in Greece with WorldStrides! It was an unforgettable experience filled with incredible memories, beautiful places, and opportunities to learn about a new culture. I loved exploring Greece, experiencing its history, trying new things, and meeting new people. Everything was well organized, and the experience allowed me to step outside my comfort zone while making memories that I will cherish forever. I am so grateful for this opportunity and would highly recommend WorldStrides to anyone considering studying abroad!

I studied abroad last semester in January in Barcelona, Spain with WolrldStrides. Great cultural immersion opportunities and overall support. Everything went smoothly with coordination at the airport and all other supplemental excursions. Would recommend WorldStrides to anyone, regardless of the program.

I arrived in Lebanon as a high school graduate who had never traveled abroad alone, who did not speak Arabic, and who was full of nerves about what lay ahead. I expected to feel lost and overwhelmed, but the truth was exactly the opposite. The moment I stepped into campus, I fell in love, i wandered around campus for a week straight discovering new parts of it. People with warmth that I never really saw elsewhere, from first day on AUB became my home. Friends, teachers, and even strangers on campus made room for me as if I had always belonged, and the campus quickly stopped feeling like a place I was visiting and started feeling like a place I was meant to be. I found myself at AUB; I became a living part of this campus, and it became a living part of me. There were challenges along the way, as there always are, but each one made me stronger, braver, more patient, and more open to the world, and together they shaped me into the best version of myself. Had it was not for AUB, I could never imagine myself pushing through this journey... During my studies the country fell into war not once but twice, yet AUB was running, it was my first time witnessing the state of war, there were days where I wanted to leave, yet my professors and peers pushing through to ensure our academics don't fall behind made me stay. "Impressed" was an understatement, Amidst chaos AUB was here giving us glimpse of a bright future. It was this assurance which taught me not to give up. For what i must say this indeed has been the most rewarding and eye-opening chapter of my life, and it is the reason I call AUB my second home. Studying here was never just about earning a degree; it is about the experience of being a part of AUB, a community that welcomes you, believes in you, and changes you for the better. If you are standing where I once stood, nervous and unsure, I assure you to take the leap, because it will give you a home, a community, and a version of yourself you are proud of. I will admire this university, it will always be a second home I'd go back to.

Studying abroad in Madrid changed my life forever- while this statement seems to leave every study abroad student's mouth, it really is the truth. I explored many different countries during my stay in Spain which opened my eyes to what the world has to offer other than the United States, but surely the most impactful part of my abroad experience was making Madrid my temporary home. I never thought a city could feel like home when I don't speak the native language, but Madrid is a place that speaks to you without words. The city itself is a beautiful place- well kept, rich in its culture, sights, and amazing eats but the city itself is alive. It is the most full of life place I have traveled to- everywhere you go everyone is present with the people around them, playing games, talking, laughing, sharing meals, dancing, singing, all of the above. It's a place that I will hold in my heart forever, a place that I wouldn't have been able to experience without a program like WorldStrides that made everything seamless. They made it comfortable to move to a foreign country and made our program feel like a family. Thank you WorldStrides and thank you Madrid for changing my life!

I studied abroad in Barcelona in the Spring of 2026, and going into it, I was excited, nervous, and anxious, unsure what to expect. I didn't know how I would settle in, whether I would feel comfortable, or whether I would be homesick. All of these worries were completely answered, and the unsure semester turned into the greatest 4 months of my life. I attribute this experience to WorldStrides and am grateful to them for allowing me this opportunity. Barcelona is an amazing city with lots to explore, close to other countries to travel to, great culture and history, and I would not recommend a better place to study. I was housed in the Gothic Quarter, and I could not have picked a better place. I was close to the old Roman architecture, amazing restaurants, Las Ramblas, and just everything amazing about that side of the city. It was close to our university, and I cherished walking to school and back every day, or taking the metro. Either way, my commute was one of my favorite parts of my day. I loved the university; the classrooms were beautiful, the surrounding area was beautiful, and I would sit in the outdoor garden area and collect my thoughts or talk with friends almost every day before or after class. This opportunity obviously also gave me the ability to travel and see the world with people I love; I studied abroad with some friends from home, and we got to see the world together. I gained moments and experiences with them that I will have with them and cherish forever. Going to Dracula's cave with my boys in Budapest, seeing the Eiffel Tower light up with my friends during fashion week, or paragliding over Interlaken with all of my friends; I would not have been able to experience these things without WorldStrides, and this review, bringing up great memories, is making me emotional. As much as I was able to travel and such, it also opened up experiences for others. My family came and visited me, and before Spain, they had not been farther than Mexico or Canada. My parents are both over 55, and they haven't had the chance to see Europe until they met me during my semester abroad. I feel super passionate and happy about the fact that I was a big reason for my parents getting to see the world, getting to show them around my new home and all of the little places that I had become a regular at. Meeting my new friends, roommates, and walking around the city was such a great experience to have with my family, and it will be an all-time experience for the rest of my life. My dad jumped into the Mediterranean because he is a huge water guy, and he kept mentioning how he would regret saying that he didn't swim in the Mediterranean. He's 61, and if he didn't come and visit me, he probably would have never had the opportunity to fulfill a childhood wish and come and see the world. Barcelona, Spain, was a great hub and a great home base. I wouldn't have changed anything about my experience, and I have no regrets coming back home to the States. The culture, values, behavior, and all the things Spain has to offer changed my own mindset and my own values, and I came home to the States with a different outlook on life. I thank WorldStrides for giving me this opportunity, and I would recommend using them for any study abroad trips!

Studying abroad in Barcelona was an unforgettable experience. I made some of my closest friends, tried new things, and stepped outside my comfort zone. Beyond exploring a new city and practicing Spanish, I had time to slow down and think about who I am and what matters to me. I returned with wonderful memories, meaningful friendships, and a better understanding of myself.

Studying abroad is one of the best decisions I have made! I was nervous to spend so much time away from home but as soon as we exited security at the Athens airport, the WorldStrides staff was there greeting us with smiles. They took us to our dorms and helped us acclimate to living in an unfamiliar place. The professors of all my classes were very understanding of our confusion and adjustment period. They supported me and made sure that the classrooms were a safe space, and I’ll always be grateful for them! Arguably the best parts of studying abroad were the people I met and the places I saw. One of my first days in the program I was adopted into a friend group, and they are still my closest friends today. They encouraged me to travel to many different places on my bucket list, accompanying me to many of them. As an avid fan of traveling, the support of my friends, professors, and WorldStrides staff to go explore new places was the best thing I could have asked for. I am no longer afraid of traveling by myself or of navigating a country in which I do not speak the language. I will look back fondly on my semester abroad in Athens for many years to come!

I had a great time during this program. I learned so much, both educationally and culturally. The classes were great, and the teachers and staff genuinely care. Dina made the transition so easy and was always just one email away whenever I needed anything. I met some great people who I am still in contact with and believe I will remain friends with for a long time. The location of the house was great and very convenient. However, I did think the housing could have been better. The bathrooms, especially, could use some work. All in all, I had a wonderful experience, and this program has been one of the biggest highlights of my life so far. One thing I wish we had done more of was introductory activities earlier in the program, such as visiting local markets and stores and learning how to navigate public transportation. I think having more of these activities at the beginning would have made the transition even easier and helped us become more comfortable in our new surroundings.

Odyssey in Athens with Webster University was a once in a lifetime experience. I was able to meet wonderful people from around the world and experience the joy of learning with them! I was able to spend weekends island hopping with my new friends and attend amazing classes during the week.

I had such an amazing experience with my study abroad program in Athens Greece! Our apartment was in the heart of Athens that allowed me and my roommates to explore as much as we wanted when we were not in class. The professors for classes were incredibly kind and helpful. I went over seas alone not knowing anyone and came back with friends that I still meet up with 3 years later. I would not be the person I am today without this experience due to the independence, the learning, the culture and the people. This program provided so many opportunities to explore and learn about Greek culture and history. I strongly encourage students study aboard and this program is a fantastic way to do it!

Studying abroad in Seville, Spain, was one of the most memorable experiences of my college career. I was able to immerse myself in Spanish culture both inside and outside the classroom, from ordering food and drinks and communicating with my host family to exploring the city's streets, landmarks, and history. Living in Seville gave me a much deeper appreciation for the language and culture. Academically, studying in Seville gave me the opportunity to experience a different academic environment. I am a Spanish minor, so being immersed in the language greatly improved my proficiency and confidence. Practicing Spanish in real-life situations helped me become more comfortable with speaking and listening, especially with my host family, who only spoke Spanish. Adjusting to unfamiliar teaching styles and classroom expectations was an obstacle. At times, I found learning Spanish from a native speaker slightly difficult, but I am so glad I got to practice because it was ultimately very beneficial. I would recommend that students thinking about studying in another country communicate every question and concern with professors. It can be difficult to have a slight language barrier, even in an English class. Going abroad is still a college semester, even if it seems like you are exploring more than studying. Outside of academics, traveling was my favorite part of this experience. Seville as a home base made it so easy and exciting to plan trips to experience other places. I became so much more independent when needing to navigate train stations, airports, and the bus/metro systems. I would recommend budgeting and researching all your options when traveling to make it as cost-effective as possible. While waking up in a new country every day was exciting, there are also challenges that future students should know about. My biggest challenge when I landed in Seville was being away from family and friends, and the fact that I was the only student in my accommodation. I was lucky enough to have a small group to do everything with, but it was a little daunting to be separated from them. I think choosing to live in a host family was the best choice I could have made. It feels like I now have personal connections to Seville, and it made my trip so much more meaningful. In terms of packing, I would strongly recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes because you will likely walk much more than you do at home. My other recommendation would be to bring a portable charger too. The number of times my phone almost died while I was away from home was almost comical, and if I didn’t have a portable charger on me, I would have had trouble getting back. My biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of the experience. It is truly what you make of it. Fill your days with exploring, practicing the language, and learning new things about the city you choose to study in! I would encourage future students to try unfamiliar foods and participate in the cultural customs and activities. Step outside of your comfort zone and appreciate even the small everyday moments! Overall, I could not recommend studying abroad in Seville more. The experience helped me grow in so many ways while giving me a greater appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. I now have stories that I still share with my friends from home, and I have lifelong friendships with the people I spent my time with. I would strongly encourage anyone considering this program to take this opportunity and embrace it to the fullest.

I had a very enjoyable semester, the administration worked hard to make different events and excursions for the students to go on. I felt the classes were participation based and student centered rather than just reading notes out loud which was quite enjoyable

I had a very enjoyable semester, the administration worked hard to make different events and excursions for the students to go on. I felt the classes were participation based and student centered rather than just reading notes out loud which was quite enjoyable

I had a very enjoyable semester, the administration worked hard to make different events and excursions for the students to go on. I felt the classes were participation based and student centered rather than just reading notes out loud which was quite enjoyable

I had a very enjoyable semester, the administration worked hard to make different events and excursions for the students to go on. I felt the classes were participation based and student centered rather than just reading notes out loud which was quite enjoyable

I had a very enjoyable semester, the administration worked hard to make different events and excursions for the students to go on. I felt the classes were participation based and student centered rather than just reading notes out loud which was quite enjoyable

I can't recommend this program enough if you have the opportunity to apply for it. It has undoubtably changed my life. As an artist, it was incredible to be immersed in such a vibrant city with such beautiful grafitti/ street art as well as the ancient ruins all around you. To be able to study in the birthplace of knowledge, it makes you feel like you are contributing to something bigger than yourself. The program itself was also really amazing because it gave us the opportunity to connect with a group of people we could rely on when traveling together. It was also nice to have a schedule and trips planned out for you. It's an incredible opportunity to enhance your global outreach and gain new perspective. I miss it everyday!